Rot-Weiss Essen travel to Ingolstadt on Saturday. The FCI then awaits RWE. A lot of work should await Essen’s keeper Jakob Golz at the ambitious Bavarians.
22 games, 32 goals conceded, 5 goals to nil: This is Jakob Golz’s record in the RWE goal this season.
The Hamburg native has been the number one goalkeeper at Rot-Weiss Essen for a good year. In the second half of the 2021/2022 season, which brought RWE the longed-for promotion to the 3rd Division, Golz, who ousted Daniel Davari from the red-white box, was a guarantee of success.
RevierSport spoke to the 24-year-old, who has been under contract at Hafenstraße since 1 July 2019.
Jakob Golz, what was the mood like in the days after the victory over BVB II – did you feel the pressure drop?
After victories, the days afterwards are generally much more pleasant and enjoyable. Of course, a small stone has fallen from our hearts. Because we also know that in the long run, the many draws don’t bring much. Three points are more valuable. It was about time that we celebrated a victory together with our fans.
Why has RWE had such a hard time winning recently? And: Did the team also feel the headwind from parts of the curve?
We analysed all this after the 0:1 at Viktoria Köln. The team cohesion was good after that game, as it has been all season. It was inattentiveness that led to us taking only one point instead of three in the past. I only have to remind you of the late goals we conceded in Paderborn against Verl or in the derby against MSV Duisburg. We have to be more alert and put the lid on it earlier, like we did against Dortmund last time.
What bothers you more about the season so far: the three home wins or the 32 goals conceded?
Every goal conceded bothers me! I like victories best when they don’t concede a goal. And our home games? I hope that in the future we continue where we left off against Dortmund.
Do you actually talk to your father Richard Golz about your performance after every game?
Yes, we always do. His opinion is important to me. After the Dortmund game, I went to Hamburg with him and we had more time than usual to talk about certain things, including my goalkeeping. There is actually no such thing as a perfect game. That’s why you can always listen to and accept constructive and objective criticism.
You have been the number one in Essen for a year now. To what extent have you developed athletically, but also personally during this time?
You have a completely different starting position now. In the past, I have almost only trained, I have worked towards this moment of playing and not sitting on the bench. Not much has changed in terms of work now that I’m in goal, but of course you get more self-confidence. Still, I’m a guy who’s never satisfied. I mustn’t be. I have to work just as hard as before.
You are seven points ahead of the relegation places. How many points do you think RWE needs to stay in the league?
That’s hard to say. In any case, we can’t rest on our laurels, we have to keep on scoring points, ideally also on Saturday in Ingolstadt. The goal is to stay in the league as early as possible. But I warn you: we’re not through yet!
Your contract is coming to an end: Will you go into the next third league season with Essen?
We are working on both things, staying in the league and the extension, and I am confident that both will work out. I feel very comfortable at RWE and know what I have here.
You are a Hamburg boy, your father Richard is an HSV icon: Do you also have the dream of playing goal for Hamburger SV?
I was born in Hamburg, played for HSV for ten years from U12 to U21 and will return to my hometown sooner or later. And of course it would be nice to play in the Volksparkstadion.